Today, cyber threats are an ever-present risk for businesses of all sizes. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMBs) are especially vulnerable, with 43% of cyberattacks targeting them [Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report]. To stay ahead of attackers, businesses must proactively assess their network security—and that’s where network penetration testing comes in.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about network penetration testing (pentesting), from what it involves to how it benefits your business. Whether you’re new to cybersecurity or already familiar with the process, this is the only guide you’ll ever need.
Network penetration testing is a simulated cyberattack performed by ethical hackers to evaluate the security of a business’s IT infrastructure. This process uncovers vulnerabilities that malicious actors could exploit, allowing organizations to address security gaps before a real attack occurs.
Unlike automated vulnerability scans, penetration testing involves human expertise to mimic the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) of real-world attackers. Testers use a combination of reconnaissance, exploitation, and lateral movement strategies to assess how deep an attacker could infiltrate the network.
Penetration tests can be black-box, gray-box, or white-box, depending on the level of information provided to the testers.
The ultimate goal is to expose weak points before cybercriminals do, reducing the risk of data breaches, ransomware attacks, and compliance violations.
Simulates Real-World Attacks
A penetration test provides an accurate assessment of your organization’s security posture by replicating cyberattacks used by real hackers. This helps businesses understand:
For example, a pentest might reveal that an outdated VPN configuration allows attackers to bypass multi-factor authentication, giving them unauthorized access to internal resources.
Identifies Security Weaknesses
Penetration testing uncovers weaknesses that automated security tools often miss. These may include:
A 2023 study found that 93% of corporate networks can be compromised by attackers due to misconfigurations and poor credential management [Positive Technologies].
Ensures Compliance
Many industries require regular penetration testing to meet cybersecurity regulations and standards. Failure to comply can result in heavy fines, reputational damage, and loss of business.
For example, PCI DSS requires businesses handling credit card transactions to conduct annual penetration tests to prevent cardholder data breaches.
Prevents Financial Loss
Cyberattacks cost businesses billions of dollars annually, with SMBs being prime targets.
By proactively identifying and fixing vulnerabilities, penetration testing saves businesses from catastrophic financial and operational disruptions caused by cyber incidents.
Penetration testing isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Different attack scenarios require different testing methods to uncover potential weaknesses in your network. Securafy offers two primary types of penetration testing to match your security needs:
What It Is:
Internal network penetration testing simulates an attack originating from within your organization. This could be from a rogue employee, a compromised device, or an attacker who has already breached the external perimeter (e.g., through stolen credentials or phishing). The goal is to identify how much damage an attacker could do once inside the network and whether internal security controls are strong enough to contain the threat.
What It Assesses:
An internal penetration test reveals that an employee in the marketing department has unnecessary access to the finance database due to misconfigured permissions. This means if a hacker gains control of a marketing user’s account, they could steal financial records or payroll information.
What It Is:
External network penetration testing simulates an attack from outside your organization—as if a hacker were trying to break in from the internet. It evaluates your external-facing systems, such as firewalls, VPNs, and cloud services, to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited remotely.
What It Assesses:
A penetration test finds that a company’s Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) port is exposed to the internet without MFA or rate-limiting. Attackers can use automated brute-force tools to guess weak credentials and gain unauthorized access to internal systems.
A thorough penetration test follows a structured methodology designed to provide a comprehensive assessment of your security posture. Here’s what the process looks like:
Before executing any attack simulations, penetration testers conduct information gathering and reconnaissance to identify potential entry points.
What Happens During This Phase:
A tester discovers an old, forgotten subdomain hosting an outdated web application that still connects to internal databases, providing an entry point for attackers.
After gathering intelligence, testers actively probe the network for vulnerabilities and misconfigurations.
What Happens During This Phase:
A scan reveals that an unpatched Apache web server is running a known vulnerability (CVE-2022-23943), which could allow remote code execution.
This is where penetration testers attempt to exploit identified vulnerabilities to see how far an attacker could go. Ethical hackers use real-world attack techniques to assess security weaknesses.
What Happens During This Phase:
An external pentest successfully exploits a weak password on a public-facing server, allowing the tester to move laterally and access the internal HR database containing employee personal information.
Once the test is complete, a detailed report is provided to the business, outlining security weaknesses, risk levels, and recommendations for improvement.
What Happens During This Phase:
The report highlights that MFA is disabled on critical admin accounts and recommends enabling multi-factor authentication immediately to mitigate risks.
Traditional penetration testing providers often take weeks or even months to deliver final reports, leaving businesses vulnerable while waiting for critical security insights. By the time you receive a report, cyber threats may have already evolved, or attackers could have exploited uncovered vulnerabilities.
Securafy eliminates this delay with real-time vulnerability reporting. As security weaknesses are discovered during testing, they are immediately shared with your IT team, allowing for:
If our testers discover a misconfigured cloud storage bucket exposing sensitive customer data, your team will be notified immediately so the issue can be secured before a breach occurs.
This proactive approach ensures your business stays ahead of threats rather than reacting too late.
Many businesses need penetration testing not just for security, but to meet industry regulations and avoid fines. Failing to comply can result in lawsuits, financial penalties, and reputational damage.
Securafy’s penetration testing services are designed to help businesses meet and exceed compliance standards, including:
If a financial services company needs to pass a PCI DSS audit, Securafy’s testing can identify weak encryption, insecure payment gateways, and unpatched vulnerabilities before auditors find them.
With detailed compliance reports and remediation recommendations, businesses can quickly address security gaps and maintain regulatory approval.
When it comes to penetration testing, choosing the right partner makes all the difference. Securafy offers a unique blend of expertise, affordability, and efficiency that sets us apart from traditional providers.
✔ Certified Security Experts – Our ethical hackers hold top industry certifications, including OSCP, CISSP, and CEH, ensuring advanced security expertise.
✔ Affordable Solutions – Our services cost up to 50% less than other providers, making enterprise-level security accessible to SMBs.
✔ Fast Turnaround – Unlike competitors that take weeks or months, Securafy delivers results within days.
✔ Ongoing Security Support – Get monthly penetration testing at no extra cost, ensuring continuous security improvement.
✔ Ohio-Based & Remote Services – Whether you’re in Painesville, Akron, Cleveland, Columbus, or anywhere in the U.S., we offer both local and nationwide support.
With Securafy, you get penetration testing designed for real-world protection, not just compliance checkboxes.
Cyber threats impact every industry, but some are at higher risk due to sensitive data, financial transactions, or intellectual property. Securafy provides penetration testing solutions tailored to industry-specific security challenges.
Healthcare – Protect patient records and maintain HIPAA compliance by securing electronic health systems and medical IoT devices.
Finance – Prevent fraud, protect customer financial data, and meet PCI DSS requirements for secure transactions.
Manufacturing – Defend against cyber-espionage, safeguard intellectual property, and secure operational technology (OT) environments.
Real Estate – Ensure secure transactions, protect sensitive buyer/seller information, and prevent fraud in real estate platforms.
Legal Services – Maintain confidentiality of client data and prevent law firm-targeted cyberattacks.
A manufacturing company may be at risk of cyber espionage, where hackers attempt to steal proprietary designs or sabotage supply chains. Securafy’s penetration testing can uncover weak security controls in production networks, vulnerable VPN access points, and unpatched software risks.
By working with businesses across these industries, we understand their specific threats and compliance needs, delivering security solutions that go beyond generic assessments.
With cyberattacks increasing by 38% year-over-year [Check Point Research], businesses can’t afford to wait until a breach happens. Penetration testing is not just about compliance—it’s about survival.
Assess your network security risks and protect your business from cyber threats before it’s too late.